FPGEE Pharmacology 3

Question 1

Metformin's primary mechanism for lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetes involves which action?

Accepted Answer

Decreasing hepatic glucose production via AMPK activation

Answer

Metformin activates AMPK, which decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, lowering fasting glucose without causing hypoglycemia.

Question 2

Which drug class is first-line for treating Helicobacter pylori eradication in combination with antibiotics?

Accepted Answer

Proton pump inhibitors

Answer

PPIs raise gastric pH, enhancing the activity of clarithromycin and amoxicillin in H. pylori triple therapy regimens.

Question 3

A patient taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is prescribed tramadol for pain. What serious interaction risk exists?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin syndrome

Answer

Tramadol inhibits serotonin reuptake, and combined with an SSRI this can precipitate life-threatening serotonin syndrome.

Question 4

Which pharmacokinetic parameter describes the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?

Accepted Answer

Bioavailability (F)

Answer

Bioavailability (F) accounts for first-pass metabolism, absorption efficiency, and other factors that reduce systemic drug availability.

Question 5

Heparin's anticoagulant activity is primarily due to which mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Potentiation of antithrombin III to inhibit thrombin and factor Xa

Answer

Heparin binds antithrombin III, causing a conformational change that dramatically accelerates its inhibition of thrombin and factor Xa.

FPGEE Exam Practice Test